Famous for iconic furniture design, writing, and set design, Isamu Noguchi lead an incredibly tumultuous life before receiving recognition for his work. As a child, he moved to Japan to be near his father, who had ostracized him. After starting a career in the arts, he did what he could to implement arts programs among Japanese-Americans and push the American government to end internment camps. Instead, he was imprisoned.

Despite a concerted effort to stifle his creativity, it was after Noguchi's release that he created some of his most memorable pieces of art, including furniture produced by a number of top-tier manufacturers.